High-Level Political Forum focuses on 2030 goals

High-Level Political Forum focuses on 2030 goals

The 2024 High-Level Political Forum is underway in New York, bringing ministers and senior officials together to discuss how to get the world back on track to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the legal framework that can make that a reality. Justice Nambitha Dambuza, a Judge of Appeal who sits on South Africa’s Supreme Court explains the role judges play in environmental protection.

July 15, 2024 21

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Environment

UN Chief calls for action to protect biodiversity and combat climate change

One million species now under threat, and humanity is to blame, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has warned, in a call to protect the plants, animals, microorganisms and more, that sustain all life on Earth. Pollution, climate chaos, habitat loss and exploitation of nature have pushed a million plant and animal species to the brink of extinction. Guterres called on developed countries to invest in biodiversity and climate action […]

May 23, 2024 27 3

Environment

Why you shouldn’t take pebbles from the beach – here’s the science

Mr.Teerapong Kunkaeo / shutterstock By Joseph Earl, Lancaster University and Suzana Ilic, Lancaster University Cumberland Council in the north of England has announced that people taking pebbles from beaches will now face fines of up to £1,000. Many people found the announcement frustrating, but preventing erosion is critical, as research shows. For many people, visiting the beach brings back joyful childhood memories. It is easy to forget that […]

May 22, 2024 36

Environment

7 Billion tonnes of plastic waste threaten environment

Since the 1950s, 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, seven billion tonnes of which have become potentially toxic waste. Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the international negotiating committee secretariat that is focused on curbing the scourge told UN News that if no action is taken, plastic pollution could triple by 2060.

May 2, 2024 83

Environment

World marks 54th Earth Day

It is Earth Day, an annual event to show support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics." Choking our oceans, plastic waste makes up 80 percent of all marine pollution. Over 10 million metric tonnes of plastic end up […]

April 22, 2024 31

Environment

Namibia stops Russian uranium exploration because of pollution concerns

Namibia has suspended Russia's state atomic energy agency's uranium exploration due to fears of groundwater contamination. Despite being Africa's largest producer of nuclear fuel, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land reform has withheld the necessary mining permit, citing concerns over One Uranium's failure to demonstrate a pollution-free extraction method. Here is Petra Witbooi the Chairperson of Leonardville Village Council. Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform […]

April 18, 2024 76

Environment

South Africa’s Cabinet approves end to lion and rhino breeding

South Africa’s cabinet has approved a phased end to the captive breeding of lions and rhinos as the country plans to end practices that have corrupted its reputation as a custodian of some of the world’s biggest wildlife populations. SA’s cabinet, according to Bloomberg, also agreed to limit the hunting of leopards and hold off on a push to resume the international trade of elephant ivory.

April 2, 2024 17

Namibia

Conservation experts gather in Windhoek for SMART conference

The inaugural global user conference for the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool is underway in Windhoek, uniting conservation practitioners worldwide. Namibia began using SMART in 2016, starting with a pilot program in Etosha National Park. Due to its success, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism expanded its use to include all of Namibia's KAZA parks in 2020. Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, is involved in the event.

March 12, 2024 46

Environment

EU to introduce 10-year prison terms for environmental crimes

The European Union has become the first international body to criminalise the most serious cases of environmental damage that are “comparable to ecocide”. Ecosystem destruction, including habitat loss and illegal logging, will be punished with tougher penalties and prison sentences of up to 10 years under the EU’s updated environmental crime directive. Here is local Ecologist Peter Cuningham.

February 28, 2024 38